"Why are the Malays often angry these days? Why are they threatening to boycott everything?"
Perhaps these questions are swirling in the minds of many non-Malays, given the national newsfeed over the past few years. From the "socks controversy" and fake halal certificates involving KK Mart to the recognition of Chinese villages as UNESCO sites, Malaysia has had no shortage of issues that seem to touch a nerve among the Malays.
Chinese lawyer and social observer Zee How Tai provides a straightforward yet profound explanation: the non-Malays have taken Malay tolerance for granted.
This statement resonates deeply with the larger Malay-Muslim population. Historically, the Malays have been the paragons of moderation, compassion, and tolerance. They didn’t learn this from Western philosophies or some academic echo chamber—it’s an intrinsic part of their identity. Generosity is woven into the fabric of Malay culture, as seen in everyday phrases like "sedekah" and "budi bahasa."
The lawyer's observations are strikingly accurate: It’s hard to ignore the unique coexistence of mosques with temples, churches, and gurdwaras—a visual testament to the country’s religious freedom. He goes on to say that vernacular schools flourish, Non-Malays hold key ministerial positions, and cultural festivals like Chinese New Year and Deepavali are public holidays. Even as Islam remains the religion of the Federation, the Malays have long upheld the principle of inclusivity.
But here’s the rub: This tolerance has been misconstrued as infinite patience, a license for complacency among some non-Malays. Zee How Tai’s argument hits home: the Malays have been accommodating—allowing non-Muslims to consume non-halal food, conduct religious ceremonies in public spaces, and pursue economic ventures without interference.
Yet, tension emerges when these boundaries are crossed. For instance, when non-Muslims question halal practices or make insensitive critiques about Islam, the response from the Malay community is swift and pointed.
It’s no mystery why. Any group, when provoked repeatedly, will eventually reach a breaking point. As Zee How Tai notes, the Malays aren’t asking for much—only that their beliefs and customs be respected, just as they have respected those of others.
But it’s not just about religion. There’s a broader socio-political narrative here. In the aftermath of GE15 in 2022, the term “green wave” was used to project Islamophobic sentiment, as correctly pointed out by Pas President Abdu Hadi Awang. The government scrambled to frame the election results as a rise in extremism, ignoring the reality that many Malays simply rejected Umno, a party seen as a symbol of kleptocracy. By framing this legitimate political choice as dangerous, the government gaslit an entire community.
This pattern of guilt-tripping Malays for asserting their rights and frustrations has continued. A few days ago, I wrote about the double standards of YB Syerleena and her selective outrage on racial issues. The Malays see this as part of a more considerable hypocrisy: their calls for fairness are dismissed as extremism, while others are allowed to push boundaries unchecked.
Is it really so surprising, then, that Malays are angrier today?
Talk to any ordinary Malay on the street, and you'll likely hear the same sentiment: kaduk naik junjung. This peribahasa encapsulates the frustration of a community that feels taken advantage of. The Malays have tolerated much, perhaps too much, only to see their goodwill repaid with condescension and insensitivity.
Examples abound. Some non-Malays question why halal standards must be upheld so stringently in a Muslim-majority country. Others openly mock Islamic practices under the guise of freedom of expression. Imagine this scenario in Thailand, where criticism of Buddhism would spark outrage. Or in India, where insensitivity toward Hindu beliefs would result in backlash. Yet in Malaysia, when the Malays stand up for themselves, they’re labelled intolerant or extremist.
The harmony we enjoy today didn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of deliberate efforts, particularly from the Malay-Muslim majority, to create a space where everyone feels included. But inclusivity is a two-way street.
The Malays' anger isn’t irrational—it’s a reaction to years of being misunderstood, dismissed, and, again, gaslit. If non-Malays continue to ignore this reality, the fragile balance that underpins our multicultural society risks being permanently upset.
Ahmad Mustakim is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.